Yesterday I was fortunate enough to go with 2 teams of participants to the beach to spend their final afternoon in Haiti. It has become a tradition here to end the week at the beach worshipping our God and celebrating the new ways we have encountered Him. This particular week was also the last week that our staff would all be together here in Haiti. We said our goodbyes to Mark, who has been a valuable part of our team here. Mark has led teams this summer with integrity and humility. His example of leadership has been a blessing to each of us here, and we will miss him dearly during the remainder of our time in Haiti.
Before we ended our day at the beach, and said our goodbyes to Mark, the male staff took advantage of an opportunity to go for a “man swim�. We hired a local gondola to take us out to the outer edge of the reef where we could snorkel and explore the life that awaits just under the surface of the water. It was during this time that God began to speak to me about the abundant life that He has for me. Just like my adventures on the reef, there is a life that is deeper and more meaningful that what shows on the surface. I was reminded that our lives here on earth are temporary, they will come to an end at some point. As important as these lives are, there is life that is truly more meaningful and more significant than we often realize. Our eternal lives, the life that is waiting for us, is so much richer and full of life than the surface lives we live.
Each time I would dive below the surface of the water, I found myself surrounded by vibrant colors. Bright oranges, blues, greens, reds, and the various shades of white from the sand and coral. It was beautiful and tranquil. In a country like Haiti where life is bleak and often lacking hope, I found myself in a secret world that seemed untouched by man. Here I was surrounded by an amazing beauty, hidden from the poverty and hopelessness that awaited me on the shore. I did not want to leave this place. I felt like this was my secret place where I found God waiting for me. I simply floated face down in the water for a while and soaked in the presence of what was around me. I soaked in the presence of His voice speaking to me about life, about family, about love, about community.
As I realized it was time to end our “man swim� and head back to the teams that were swimming on the beach, I lifted my head from the water and was in awe that here I was…floating in the warm Caribbean waters and snorkeling along one of the most beautiful reefs I have seen. As I climbed back in to the old wooden gondola, I looked out at the clear blue waters that met the base of a green and luscious mountain, and heard God telling me that He had an abundant life for me. I was one of His children and He loved me despite what the world around me has to offer. I believe God knew that I needed that reminder…I needed to know that life was not what it always appears to be. There is abundance in store, there is true life in store for those who choose to believe.
I serve an amazing God!
